Keeping alive the Islamic tradition of scholarship, insight, and purification...one day at a time.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

LESSON OF THE DAY 548

Ayahs of the Day:See how we have favored some of them over others; yet the Hereafter is certainly greater in ranks and greater in favor. Do not invent another deity besides God, or you will sit condemned and deserted. [17: 21,22]

Hadith of the Day:He who fears sets off (on the journey) at night. He who sets off at night reaches the destination. Lo! The merchandise of Allah is costly. Lo! The merchandise of Allah is Paradise. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:If you have the audacity to indulge in sins, do so to the extent that you can endure Hell-fire. [Luqman the Wise]

Guidance of the Day:Fear: Fear (khawf) is the painful condition of the heart that arises as a result of thinking of something reprehensible and the fear of it materializing. The nature of fear consists of the possibility of punishment. This possibility extends to every person, for he may be overtaken by punishment. This is the extent of fear that has been commanded and imposed upon the servant. This extent, fearing the possibility of punishment, is a compulsory condition of faith. It is also known as intellectual fear Khawf 'aqli). At the behest of sin this faculty has to be put into operation. The warnings and punishments of Allah Most High should be recalled and considered so as to save oneself from sin. This degree of fear is obligatory (fard). Its non-existence induces and involves one in sin. It is the medium of exhorting toward virtue and steering one away from sin.

Allah Most High has combined the noble attributes of guidance, mercy, knowledge, and contentment for those who are imbued with His fear. All beings fear the one who fears Allah Most High. The servant of Allah who on earth entertains fear of Allah Most High will be fearless in the Hereafter, and he who had no fear of Allah Most High on earth will be overtaken by fear and calamity. Fear is thus obligatory upon every believer. There are two reasons for for this: the possibility of one committing voluntarily an act of disobedience in the future and the possibility of some act of disobedience having been voluntarily committed, which could have been stopped had one paid attention, but due to negligence, one's attention has been diverted. Such diversion is also a voluntary act of disobedience.

It is a fact that the child, because of the fear of punishment, abstains from mischief; and people, because of the fear of being fined, refrain from violation of law. When fear is effaced, anarchy is the consequence in the land. Fear severs the roots of all evil, while at the same time it is the medium of all obedience. The manner in which to acquire the fear of Allah Most High is to consider His wrath and punishment. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. Inner development is just as important as outer physical development.